This unique twist on a smash burger by making it into a smashed burger taco is a great 15 minutes dinner idea for a busy week. Only requiring 6 ingredients, this simple smash burger tacos recipe embodies all the flavors you know and love of classic smash burgers and also includes a delicious classic burger sauce to round out the flavors.
This smash burger taco recipe is a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, especially when enjoying an at home taco night. This is also a great option to make on a hot griddle for a summer barbecue on Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day weekend. This recipe is also great to make during the winter months inside on the stove on a hot skillet or on a large skillet indoors when you are craving the delicious smash burger flavors.
This smashed taco recipe was inspired by my smash burger recipe on this site, and pairs well with this grilled jalapeno popper recipe.
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Ingredients to make a Smashed Burger Taco
The two main ingredients in this recipe are ground beef and tortillas. This combination then uses cheddar cheese as the cheese of choice on the burger patties. The classic burger toppings on this smash burger taco include diced onion, dill pickles and a homemade burger sauce to add extra flavor and texture.
- ground beef
- flour tortilla or corn tortillas
- cheddar cheese or American cheese
- yellow onion
- burger sauce
- dill pickle chips
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Turn the griddle up to medium-high heat. While heating up, form the burgers in your hands. Make approximately 6 even balls of ground beef. Dice the onions.
- Step 2: Place the balls of ground beef onto the griddle. Place a tortilla on top of each ball. Use a burger press to press down and smash the ground beef into the tortilla.
- Step 3: Allow the burger to cook about 1-2 minutes. Flip the burger and tortilla. Add a slice of cheese on top of the beef patties. Cook until cheese is melted and the edges of the tortilla are crisp, about another 1-2 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove the smash tacos from the heat. Add onions, pickles and burger sauce. Serve immediately or save for later.
Hint: avoid overworking the meat when forming the patties and press gently during smashing to retain juiciness. Cook quickly on a hot surface to seal in the moisture without drying out assuring your resulting patty is full of juicy meat.
Substitutions
- Onion - instead yellow onion use sweet onion or white onion for a more mild flavor
- Tortilla - use corn tortilla for a gluten free tortilla recipe
- Vegetarian - the beef patty can be replaced with a plant-based burger to make this vegetarian
Variations
- Spicy - add hot sauce or a little of my copycat Dave's Hot Chicken sauce for a spicy version or any of your favorite sauces that add a little heat for maximum flavor
- Burger - omit the taco shells and add on a brioche bun for a smash burger version. Add a homemade big mac sauce for extra variety
- Grilled Shrimp - use grilled shrimp for a grilled shrimp taco recipe made on the griddle
See this grilled shrimp taco recipe on my website!
Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need a griddle grill, indoor griddle or a large skillet such as a cast iron skillet. It is necessary that whatever the smash burger taco is being cooked on is a flat surface. A burger press is also needed to smash the burger into a thin layer of the smash burger tacos. A sharp knife and cutting board is also needed.
How to Store Smashed Burger Taco
Store the leftover tacos separately from the diced onion, pickles and burger sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. Good for 2-3 days.
Reheat leftover tacos in the oven, air fryer or on the stove until warm and packed with melty cheese for best results. Add your favorite burger toppings bacon onto the taco burgers after reheating.
These ingredients do stand up well to freezing for up to 2 months.
Top Tip
If the onion flavor seems too strong depending on the onion you use, soak the diced pieces briefly in cold water and drain before using to mellow sharpness.
FAQ
Absolutely, use a dairy-free mayonnaise and ensure other condiments like mustard and ketchup align with your dietary needs.
Assemble tacos right before serving and keep wet ingredients like sauce and pickles separate until the last moment.
Yes, sweet onions or red onions work well for a milder flavor, while green onions add a fresh, subtle bite.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this smashed burger taco recipe:
📖 Recipe
Easy Smashed Burger Tacos Recipe with Burger Sauce
Equipment
- 1 sharp knife and cutting board
- 1 Griddle
- 1 Burger Press
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 6 flour tortillas
- 1 onion diced
- ¼ cup dill pickle chips
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Turn the griddle up to medium-high heat. While heating up, form the burgers in your hands. Make approximately 6 even balls of ground beef. Dice the onions.
- Place the balls of ground beef onto the griddle. Place a tortilla on top of each ball. Use a burger press to press down and smash the ground beef into the tortilla.
- Allow the burger to cook about 1-2 minutes. Flip the burger and tortilla. Add a slice of cheese on top of the beef patties. Cook until cheese is melted and the edges of the tortilla are crisp, about another 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the smash tacos from the heat. Add onions, pickles and burger sauce. Serve immediately or save for later.
Notes
- save leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- reheat leftovers before serving.
- these ingredients stand up well to freezing for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
If you have any questions about how to make these smash burger tacos or need other grilling recipe suggestions, leave a comment below!
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